OET announces agreement with Prometric™ for delivery of at-home remote-proctored

testing
14 May 2020Industry News, Media Release, OET News
OET, the world’s only international English language test specifically for
healthcare professionals, has signed an agreement with global leader in technology-
enabled assessment and testing solutions, Prometric™.

The immediate focus of the relationship will be on aiming to launch a computer-

based version of OET in the coming months that candidates can take safely and
securely in the comfort of their own home through remote proctoring. This will
allow OET to resume test delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic and to continue to
empower global healthcare by supporting the ongoing registration of overseas-
trained healthcare professionals.

As the name suggests, remote proctoring is managed remotely, under strict test
conditions, by proctors who understand the high-stakes nature of the test.

OET will be working concurrently on the availability of computer-based testing

through dedicated test venues, as well as on resuming the paper-based test as soon
as possible through our existing network of test venues.

OET Chief Operating Officer Richard Brown said the signing of the agreement with
Prometric was the culmination of a very competitive and thorough tender process
that focussed on finding a highly secure solution that would meet the
organisation’s commitment to delivering an excellent experience for our customers.

Sujata Stead, CEO of OET, commented: “We are very excited about working with
Prometric, one of the largest and most experienced testing organisations in the
world. Over time, this relationship will allow us to expand our reach globally and
to increase testing capacity and frequency.”

“Prometric is pleased to be selected by OET as its remote assessment partner,” said

Roy Simrell, CEO of Prometric. “We will leverage the considerable investment in
our proven live proctoring solution to provide secure global access to the OET
testing program. The ability to utilize the same reliable and easy-to-use testing
system, whether in-person or online, will have value to both organizations well
into the future.”

While computer-based testing and remote proctoring will bring changes to the
delivery mode, the test format and tasks, and level of English assessed will remain
the same.

The Reading, Listening and Writing sub-tests of OET will be available via computer-
based delivery and the Speaking sub-test will be carried out with a human
interlocutor via video conferencing software. The live human involvement and role-
play nature of the OET Speaking sub-test, which is one of the key benefits of the
test, will not be compromised.

OET is working closely with organisations who recognise the test towards the
ongoing acceptance of results issued via this delivery mode.

Download the full press release with media contacts.